Governor Bev Perdue Signs Legislation Supporting Military at Guard Facility in Morrisville 

By Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan
North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs

RALEIGH – A good commander informs their troops, an old adage carried out by Governor Bev Perdue at the North Carolina National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility in Morrisville, Aug. 4.

Perdue signed four bills providing North Carolina servicemembers foreclosure protection, absentee ballot support, adopting the ‘Honor and Remember Flag', helping return remains to family members and streamlining North Carolina military regulations.

“We have a responsibility to support our military and their families,” said Perdue.

She invited legislators, Guard leaders and representatives of military families to gather around her for the signing.

Against a backdrop of Apache AH-64 Helicopters, recently returned from Iraq, and UH-72 Lakotas, used for homeland defense, counterdrug and state missions including search and rescue, she signed the bills. Afterwards she gave the pens to a few military families and legislative leaders.

“We will do whatever we can to make sure we are the most military friendly state,” said Perdue.

The bills recently passed in the General Assembly addressed servicemembers needs.

Senate Bill 1400 prevents foreclosures or other seizing/loss of property until after 90 days from release of active duty for homeland defense or other combat operations.

House Bill 76 makes it easier to return servicemember's remains to family. It also adopts the ‘Honor and Remember Flag,' as a symbol recognizing sacrifice in battle and the years of service in peace by the military.

“They put their lives on the line so we can be safe,” said state Sen. Don Davis.

House Bill 614 allows any absentee ballot application by a deployed servicemember good for any election the member is eligible to vote in.

House Bill 1412 makes Guard regulations and the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice (military law) parallel where possible.

“In the end it is about American values, home, democracy and family,” said state Rep. Grier Martin.

“They (the Military) are our friends, neighbors, fellow church members back at home, and they need to know their families are being taken care of,” said state Sen. Margaret Highsmith Dickson.

After signing the bills, the Governor greeted families of servicemembers and chatted with attendees. Later she posed for pictures with Guard Soldiers.

“It is the most important privilege of my life (as commander in chief of the Guard),” said Perdue. “When our servicemembers pick up and go if I can support in any way it is incredibly important,” said Perdue.

##

Photo Gallery

RALEIGH – State Sen. Don Davis (picture left), state Sen. Margaret Highsmith Dickson and state Rep. Grier Martin watch as Governor Bev Perdue signs bills providing North Carolina servicemembers foreclosure protection, absentee ballot support, adopting the ‘Honor and Remember Flag', helping return remains to family members and streamlining North Carolina National Guard military regulations at a ceremony at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Morrisville, Aug. 4. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs)

RALEIGH – Governor Bev Perdue greets members from the ‘Honor and Remember Flag' organization, during a signing ceremony of a bill adopting the ‘Honor and Remember Flag' as the official North Carolina symbol recognizing the service and sacrifice of servicemembers in combat and peacetime service. State Sen. Margaret Highsmith Dickson (photo left), state Rep. Grier Martin and North Carolina National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Steve Hargis joined the Governor at the signing, held at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Morrisville, Aug. 4. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs)